A Musing on Group Think

Years ago I was taking a workshop with an excellent teacher who spoke about "group think" in the yoga world. He'd teach us a pose and invariably, someone would say "That's not how I learned it." He'd smile and encourage us to examine whether our thoughts were a result of group think. The truth is, at the time, his teachings were quite different than what my yoga practice consisted of. Yet rather than dismiss his teachings or go along with yoga group think, I kept an open mind and thoroughly enjoyed this new view of yoga.

This past week I've been sick with a cold. A plain, simple, garden-variety cold. Yet I can't tell you how many people chimed in with "Do you think it's Swine Flu?!?!!" (said in a tone of concern and horror)  The honest answer to that was/is -- NO, I don't think about Swine Flu. I know that it's all the rage in the media right now but I don't blindly follow along with the media. My first reaction was, "hmmmm...guess I got run down and am getting a cold." Swine Flu didn't even enter my mind. But this idea of group think and the power of group think certainly did.

Just as with Swine Flu, much of yoga's perception is built on what we see/hear in the media. You'd think that group think in terms of yoga only happens with folks that don't practice. For instance, when I tell folks what I do for a living, I often get the following:

• Oh, I can't practice yoga -- you have to be flexible to do that and I'm not flexible at all.
• I need to de-stress but I don't have time for a 90-minute yoga class. I know that you need to spend at least that much time practicing a day and I don't have that kind of time.
• I've seen yoga magazines on the newsstand and I just don't have the "yoga body."  That's why I don't practice.

The list goes on and on.

Of course there's a list for yoga practitioners too. There's a group think about how yoga should be practiced, how long a practice should be, the importance of asana, and so on and so forth. You can choose to agree or disagree with yoga group think. What I think is most important is reevaluation. After you've been practicing a while, check in with yourself by asking -- "Why do I practice yoga this way? Where did my thoughts about my yoga practice come from? Is it time to change?"

I've been thinking about my practice quite a bit this week. Interestingly enough, my practice this past week looks completely different than the group think that I had about yoga 10 years ago. Ten years from now my practice and views on yoga may be totally different than they are today. That's the beauty of change. And that, my friends, is why challenging the group think every now and again can be a very cool thing.

Tonight I'm resting up and sipping my favorite tea (a bath and a good book are also in my future). For all of you tea lovers out there, check out this excellent podcast from Buddhist Geeks -- Buddha in a Cup of Tea. Not only will you learn some interesting facts about tea, but you'll also hear more about the simple joy of sipping a cup of hot tea. Mmmmmmmm. Perhaps you might even want to sip and consider how group think is affecting your yoga practice and your life? Just a suggestion...

Namaste!

Comments

[Catalyst Yogi]

Sat Nam, (reverent greetings)

Yogi Bhajan, the master of Kundalini Yoga said that if yoga was only about flexibility then clowns in the circus are the best yogis.

peace and love to ALL,

Catalyst Yogi
http://twitter.com/catalyst_yogi

[hope west]

great posts! i love yoga!

[Kevin Browne]

Hey, I like the way you've incorporated "change" into a practice that dates back 5,000 years.

Life is funny that way, I suppose.

Just wanted to let everyone know that Hugger Mugger is having a promotion on Facebook this week.

A passion for yoga that not everyone shares, that's I suppose what you two share.

Hope it's okay to have said so.

Great post!!!

Kevin

[Sunflower Jones]

Totally agree on this one. Sometimes, i just don't feel "yogi enough" for the yoga folks that size other up by how often they practice or what seminal yoga texts they have or have not read. But I think group think happens in any group of people and that we have an opportunity to educate and include alternative viewpoints whenever we see it happen.

http://fillenoiremavie.blogspot.com

[Hannah Elsebø]

Great post !! Hope you get better soon :)

[Bob Weisenberg]

Another great blog, Diane. Lot's of good lessons here.

One thing I've learned from the Yoga blogosphere is what a wide range of opinions there are out there. Got to keep an open mind to enjoy them, just as you say.

I embrace the diversity of Yoga, from the latest hot workout routine to courses on the ancient texts.

Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com